Seahawks Stomp 49ers in Lopsided Playoff Win, Advance to NFC Championship
In a dominating display of football, the Seattle Seahawks dismantled their NFC rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, by a score of 41-6. The decisive win sent the top-seeded Seahawks marching on to the NFC championship game, where they will face either the Chicago Bears or Los Angeles Rams.
The Seahawks' onslaught began with a stunning 95-yard kickoff return touchdown from Rashid Shaheed, which set the tone for the rest of the game. The 49ers, missing three injured All-Pros, struggled to contain the Seahawks' offense, which consistently pushed forward and scored at will.
Kenneth Walker III was particularly potent on the ground, rushing for three touchdowns and finishing with a career-high 116 yards. His performance tied him with Shaun Alexander for the most touchdowns in a single playoff game in franchise history.
Sam Darnold, who had been listed as questionable due to an oblique injury, led the Seahawks to victory with his toughness and poise under pressure. The second-year quarterback completed 12 of 17 passes for 124 yards and connected with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a touchdown in his playoff debut.
The Seahawks' defense was equally effective, forcing three turnovers and stifling the 49ers' offense. Leonard Williams sacked quarterback Brock Purdy twice, while Byron Murphy II expressed excitement about Shaheed's opening kickoff return, saying it "set the tone" for the game.
For the 49ers, the loss marked their first lopsided playoff defeat in franchise history, with their previous worst margin of victory being a 49-3 rout of the New York Giants in 1986. Star left tackle Trent Williams praised his teammates for their resilience despite being severely short-handed, with many key players missing due to injury.
The Seahawks' victory was a testament to the team's cohesion and depth, as they dominated from start to finish without their star quarterback, Russell Wilson, who is still recovering from an injury. As the Seahawks prepare for their NFC championship showdown, it remains to be seen if they will be able to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.
In a dominating display of football, the Seattle Seahawks dismantled their NFC rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, by a score of 41-6. The decisive win sent the top-seeded Seahawks marching on to the NFC championship game, where they will face either the Chicago Bears or Los Angeles Rams.
The Seahawks' onslaught began with a stunning 95-yard kickoff return touchdown from Rashid Shaheed, which set the tone for the rest of the game. The 49ers, missing three injured All-Pros, struggled to contain the Seahawks' offense, which consistently pushed forward and scored at will.
Kenneth Walker III was particularly potent on the ground, rushing for three touchdowns and finishing with a career-high 116 yards. His performance tied him with Shaun Alexander for the most touchdowns in a single playoff game in franchise history.
Sam Darnold, who had been listed as questionable due to an oblique injury, led the Seahawks to victory with his toughness and poise under pressure. The second-year quarterback completed 12 of 17 passes for 124 yards and connected with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a touchdown in his playoff debut.
The Seahawks' defense was equally effective, forcing three turnovers and stifling the 49ers' offense. Leonard Williams sacked quarterback Brock Purdy twice, while Byron Murphy II expressed excitement about Shaheed's opening kickoff return, saying it "set the tone" for the game.
For the 49ers, the loss marked their first lopsided playoff defeat in franchise history, with their previous worst margin of victory being a 49-3 rout of the New York Giants in 1986. Star left tackle Trent Williams praised his teammates for their resilience despite being severely short-handed, with many key players missing due to injury.
The Seahawks' victory was a testament to the team's cohesion and depth, as they dominated from start to finish without their star quarterback, Russell Wilson, who is still recovering from an injury. As the Seahawks prepare for their NFC championship showdown, it remains to be seen if they will be able to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.